West must use diplomatic opening with Iran: MP

A senior Iranian lawmaker has called on the Western countries to seize the new diplomatic opportunity to interact with Iran following the election of President Hassan Rouhani.

Pointing to the recent remarks by Italian Foreign Minister Emma Bonino about the need for dialog between Iran and the West, Alaeddin Boroujerdi said her statement comes as a warning for the Western countries “to properly use the diplomatic window opened for them in the 11th administration; otherwise they will be at a loss.”

Bonino on Friday called on the West to avoid its past mistakes and take the chance to engage in dialog with Iran.

Swayed by Israel and the US, Western countries have downgraded their political and economic ties with Iran over the recent years, said Boroujerdi who chairs the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran’s Majlis.

The legislator pointed to a palpable change in the West’s policies toward Iran and noted, “The election of Dr. Rouhani as the president, the promotion of the approach of moderation in foreign policy, Iran’s growing power in the domestic arena and its influence on the regional and international developments proved that the Islamic Republic of Iran has not stopped in its progressive movement despite the sanctions, resolutions and political pressures.”

“The Westerners have realized that it is not to their benefit to confront Iran and they have made a tangible change to their policies,” he pointed out.